[sdiy] SSM2164 VCA

[Neil Johnson]

Hi,

Tom Wiltshire wrote:
>
> On 15 Mar 2010, at 09:15, David Ingebretsen wrote:
>
>> Why don't people use the 2164 for VCAs?
>
> Some of us do. The 2164 is a great synth chip for all kinds of  
> uses. Furthermore, it's in current production, and is available in  
> DIP and SMD packages. You really *could* build a synth with just  
> this chip.
>
> If we're just talking VCAs, than it's got some competition at the  
> top end of the market from the SSM2018 and the THAT Corp chips. But  
> none of those are a quad VCA package, so bang for the buck, the  
> 2164 takes a bit of beating. SSM2018 is probably my favourite of  
> all for pure quality, though.
>
> The CA3080 is noisy, and the LM13700 isn't a great deal better. So  
> why doesn't *everyone* use the 2164 for VCAs?

Actually, I would ask the counter-question: why would anyone use the  
SSM2164 *just* for VCAs?

As Tom says there are better solutions - I would even suggest an all- 
discrete Gilbert cell might sound more appealing (if that's your thing).

No, for me the SSM2164's strength is in applications calling for lots  
of gain cells - interesting filters, phase shifters or multi-phase  
oscillators (such as http://www.milton.arachsys.com/nj71/index.php? 
menu=2&submenu=0&subsubmenu=0 ).  I've also sketched out ideas for a  
myriad other uses of the 2164, none of which come anywhere close to  
being "standard" VCA configuration.

Neil
--
http://www.njohnson.co.uk